Tool Cabinet Having Integral Air Lines

ABSTRACT

A tool cabinet having integral pneumatic air lines. The present invention is a tool cabinet having an inlet valve, which is adapted to have an air compressor attached thereto, and a plurality of outlet valves, which are adapted to have a variety of different pneumatic tools connected thereto. The present invention also has a plurality of holders disposed on the exterior surface of the tool cabinet to hold the pneumatic tools. The present invention is otherwise designed to function as a traditional tool cabinet, including having a plurality of drawers, hooks, slots, or other such structures adapted to hold and organize tools.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/879,407 filed on Sep. 18, 2013. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tool cabinets. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to tool cabinets having integral accessoriesfor tools.

Mechanics and other individuals who regularly work with pneumatic toolsoften have to constantly switch which tools are attached to the aircompressor depending upon the task at hand. The constant swapping ofpneumatic tools leads to wear and tear on the couplings, requiringindividuals to regularly replace these components. Furthermore, whenthese individuals swap out various tools, they tend to leave thereplaced tool on the ground or in an otherwise unattended location,which can result in the tool becoming damaged or lost. Therefore, thereis a need in the prior art for a device that allows for multiplepneumatic tools to be simultaneously connected to an air compressor,thereby allowing multiple different pneumatic tools to be used withoutrequiring that they be repeatedly connected and disconnected to the aircompressor, and that also holds the pneumatic tools in a convenient,organized manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to toolcabinets and tool boxes having integral accessories. These includedevices that have been patented and published in patent applicationpublications. These devices generally relate to tool cabinets or toolboxes having integral power sources. The following is a list of devicesdeemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are hereindescribed for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating theunique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting thedrawbacks existing in the prior art.

Tool cabinets and tool boxes having integral power sources and outlets,thereby allowing electrically-powered tools to be powered therefrom,have been described in the prior art. Although these types of devicesare adapted to power electric power tools, these devices are not adaptedto power pneumatic tools. This is disadvantageous because many mechanicsand other such individuals rely heavily on pneumatic tools. Furthermore,the couplings between a pneumatic tool and an air hose are more prone todamage than an electric power tool's plug and the electrical outlet.Therefore, it is more desired to leave a pneumatic tool connected to itsair hose and minimize the number of times one connects and disconnectsthe coupling. However, when an individual has only a single aircompressor, he or she is nonetheless forced to constantly swap thepneumatic tools in and out in order to handle different types of tasksdue to the presence of only a single coupling.

Portable air compressors having a storage compartment for tools andother articles are also known in the prior art. While these devicesallow for pneumatic tools to be kept together with the air compressorthat is used to power them, they nonetheless do not allow for multiplepneumatic tools to be attached thereto and used simultaneously.Furthermore, these devices generally lack the traditional functionalityof tool cabinets, which generally comprise multiple drawers, hooks,and/or other holding mechanisms for conveniently storing a large numberof tools in an organized manner.

The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theprior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing tool cabinet devices. In this regard theinstant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types oftool cabinets now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new tool cabinet having integral air lines wherein the samecan be utilized for providing convenience for the user when regularlyusing multiple different pneumatic tools\.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved tool cabinet device that has all of the advantages of the priorart and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool cabinethaving integral air lines that allows for multiple pneumatic tools to beattached thereto and used simultaneously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool cabinethaving integral air lines that stores the user's pneumatic tools in aconvenient and organized manner, preventing the tools from being lefthaphazardly and unattended around one's work area.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tool cabinethaving integral air lines, wherein the air lines extend through theinterior of the tool cabinet, protecting them from damage or other typesof interference and therefore minimizing the amount of upkeep that isrequired to maintain the air lines.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tool cabinethaving integral air lines that is additionally adapted to keep theuser's non-pneumatic tools stored in an organized and convenient manner,as with a conventional tool cabinet.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toolcabinet having integral air lines that may be readily fabricated frommaterials that permit relative economy and are commensurate withdurability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention having aplurality of pneumatic tools connected thereto.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective cutaway view of the rear portion of thepresent invention having an air compressor connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the tool cabinet having integral air lines. For the purposesof presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for interchangeablyutilizing a number of different pneumatic tools. The figures areintended for representative purposes only and should not be consideredto be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a perspective view ofthe present invention having a plurality of pneumatic tools connectedthereto and a perspective cutaway view of the rear portion of thepresent invention having an air compressor connected thereto. Thepresent invention comprises a tool cabinet 11 having a plurality ofintegral air lines 21 affixed to the interior surface of the toolcabinet 11. The tool cabinet 11 comprises a body having an interiorvolume, a plurality of drawers 13 slidably disposed within said body,and a plurality of wheels 14 affixed to the bottom portion of the body.As depicted, the tool cabinet 11 comprises a plurality of sidewalls, atop surface, and a bottom surface; however, no claim is made as to aspecific shape or configuration of the tool cabinet 11. The drawers 13comprise a variety of different sizes, depths, and configurations. Thedrawers 13 comprise any known type of configuration for supporting andorganizing tools therein. Alternative embodiments of the presentinvention comprise additional structures for holding and organizingtools, such as slots, hooks, pegs, and the like in addition to, or inlieu of, the drawers 13. No claim is made as to a specific configurationor arrangement of the holding and organizing mechanisms utilized by thepresent invention. The wheels 14 comprise metal casters and other suchwheels adapted to support the weight of a metal tool cabinet 11 and thetools stored therein and thereon. The tool cabinet 11 is constructedfrom steel, or other such durable material.

The present invention comprises a plurality of integral air lines 21that split from an inlet valve 17 to which an air compressor 61 may beattached via an air hose 62. The integral air lines 21 are disposedwithin the interior of the tool cabinet 11 and extend along the interiorsurface of the sidewalls of the tool cabinet 11. The integral air lines21 comprise rubber, PVC, rubber-PVC hybrid, polyurethane, and other suchdurable materials that are adapted to withstand working pressurescommonly used by pneumatic tools, which is generally approximately 90PSI. The integral air lines 21 are affixed to the interior surface ofthe tool cabinet 11 via fasteners, adhesive, welding, or any other suchmeans that holds the integral air lines 21 fixedly in place. The inletvalve 17 comprises any type of coupling known in the prior art that isadapted to connect to an air hose.

The integral air lines 21 further comprise outlet valves 16 disposed onthe exterior of the body 12 of the tool cabinet 11. The outlet valves 16are check valves that prevent air from a compressor 61 attached to thepresent invention from escaping when pneumatic tools 51 are attachedthereto via air hoses 15. The outlet valves 16 comprise any type ofcoupling known in the prior art that is adapted to connect to an airhose. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the inletvalve 17 is disposed on the rear surface 22 of the tool cabinet 11 andthe outlet valves 16, of which four are depicted, are disposed on thefront surface 12 of the tool cabinet; however, no claim is made as tothe precise number or arrangement of outlet or inlet valves 16, 17.However, the outlet valves 16 are preferably disposed on the toolcabinet 11 to avoid interference between the drawers 13 and anypneumatic tools 51 or air hoses 15 connected thereto. In embodiments ofthe present invention comprising a single inlet valve 17 and multipleoutlet valves 16, the integral air lines 21 form a continuous, branchedconnection therebetween. This allows a single compressor 61 tosimultaneously provide supply to a plurality of pneumatic tools 51 via asingle connection.

The present invention further comprises a plurality of holders 19attached to the exterior surface of the tool cabinet 11. The holders 19comprise U-shaped hooks, loops, clips, slots, or any other suchstructure adapted to removably hold a pneumatic tool 51 in position. Asdepicted, the holders 19 extend from the lateral surfaces 20 of the toolcabinet 11; however, no claim is made as to a specific positioning forthe holders 19. The holders 19 are preferably positioned adjacently tothe outlet valves 16 so that the pneumatic tools 51 are held in aconvenient position that does not force the air house 15 to bend ofobstruct the use of the tool cabinet 11.

The present invention provides a convenient means for simultaneouslypowering and supporting a plurality of pneumatic tools 51, such asimpact wrenches, pneumatic drills, pneumatic ratchets, and the like. Byproviding a single structure that powers and supports pneumatic tools,while also acting as a conventional tool cabinet 11 that is adapted tohold all types of tools, the present invention ensures that all of anindividual's tools are readily available for immediate use. The presentinvention also ensures that individuals do not leave their pneumatictools on the ground or in other potentially dangerous locations.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is a tool box,rather than a tool cabinet. As with the tool cabinet 11 embodiment, thisembodiment of the present invention comprises an inlet valve 17 to whichan air compressor 61 may be removably attached, at least one integralair line 21, at least one outlet valve 16, holders 19 for the pneumatictools, and other holding mechanisms for tools, such as trays, drawers,and the like. The aforementioned embodiment of the present invention isdifferent only in that the device is a tool box or other such storagedevice, rather than a tool cabinet, and otherwise comprises all of thepreviously described elements of the present invention.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A device, comprising: a tool cabinet comprising an exteriorsurface, an interior surface, an interior volume, at least one inletvalve, at least one outlet valve, and at least one air line forming acontinuous connection between said at least one inlet valve and at leastone outlet valve; said at least one outlet valve comprising check valvesthat are adapted to selectively allow air to pass therethrough; said atleast one outlet valve and said at least one inlet valve comprisingcouplings adapted to allow an air hose to be connected thereto. 2) Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising at least one holder disposed onsaid exterior surface. 3) The device of claim 2, wherein said at leaston holder is disposed adjacently to said at least one outlet valve. 4)The device of claim 1, wherein said holders comprise U-shaped hooks. 5)The device of claim 1, wherein: said at least one inlet valve numbersone; said at least one outlet valve numbers two or more; said at leastone integral airline forming a branched connection between said inletvalve and said outlet valves. 6) The device of claim 1, furthercomprising wheels disposed on a bottom surface of said tool cabinet.